
Craftsmanship of the Subcontinent
The gifts presented to the Prince display the remarkable range of Indian craftsmanship. The Indian rulers had been advised to present gifts to the Prince of Wales of local manufacture using techniques, designs and forms associated with the specific regions he visited. The development of many of these techniques had historically benefitted from the patronage of the Indian courts.
Some gifts were produced using forms and designs aimed towards the European market. This growing interest in Indian design in the late nineteenth century stemmed from the numerous international exhibitions that had been staged to display alongside each other examples of goods from numerous countries. At the 1851 Great Exhibition in London, objects displayed from the Indian subcontinent were highly commended both for their design and exquisite craftsmanship.
Ram Singh (active c.1870-5)
Plate
Indian
Attar-Dan
Indian
Gold box
Indian
Antimony holder
Indian
Gold fish
Indian
Rosewater atomizer
Kashmir
Surahi
Nahan Foundry
Gulab-pash
Indian
Perfume holder
Indian
Casket
Jaffna
Address case
Persian
Shamshar and scabbard
South Indian; India
Bangle
Jaipur
Pair of bangles
Indian; Udaipur
Turban ornament
Indian
Necklace
Mysore
Waist belt
Mysore
Album case
Indian
Katar
Indian
Dhal
Indian
Khanjar and scabbard
Kashmir, India
Sabre and scabbard
Indian
Battle axe and scabbard
Persian School
Shamsher and scabbard
Mohammed Ibrahim (active 1877)
Dagger and scabbard
Mohammed Ibrahim (active 1877)
Talwar
Indian; Mughal